i'm sure i'm not the first to ask about the updated wotlk item database. i'm beginning to post strats and dungeon maps on my site but none of the "confirmed loot" appear as item links. basically they're linked to nothing. so they appear white. when will the new items be added so those links will work?

Absolutely. Once Wowhead has the item links there, they'll show. Until then, you'll just have to live with it